FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – The LaGrange College football team won 24-21 at Framingham State University in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at Bowditch Field in Framingham, Massachusetts. With the win, the Panthers reach the second round of the playoffs for the first time while likewise cracking double-digit wins total for the first time.
THE BASICS
Score: LaGrange 24, Framingham State 21
Records: Panthers 10-1, 7-0 USA South | Rams 7-4, 7-2 MASCAC
THE BIG PLAYS
- After exchanging punts on the first few series, the Panthers went for it on fourth-and-five from the Rams' 30 and LaGrange junior quarterback Henry Brodnax (Newnan, Ga.) hit senior wide receiver Ashton Bryant (Athens, Ga.) for a nine-yard completion. Four plays later senior kicker Landon Eaker (Ringgold, Ga.) hit a 37 yard field goal to get LaGrange on the board, 3-0.
- As the second quarter began, the Rams drove into Panther territory on their next drive, but as they had all season, the LaGrange defense would make the big play as sophomore defensive back Messiah Scandrett (Atlanta, Ga.) intercepted a pass on third down to give the ball to the Panthers.
- After a turnover on downs by LaGrange, the Framingham offense heated up, as they drove 72 yards capped off with a 37-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Jaheim Daniels (Norwalk, Conn.) to give the Rams a 7-3 lead.
- On their ensuing drive, the Panthers drove to the Rams 27 before once again flaming out, turning it over on downs.
- Back with the ball, Framingham State reached the LaGrange 44 before the Panther defense solidified with LaGrange junior defensive end Matthew Moore (Effingham, Ga.) making the hurry on third down to force the Rams to punt.
- With two minutes left and the ball in their hands, the Panthers started to rediscover the big plays that had won them the USA South Conference Championship and a place in the NCAA Tournament. Brodnax hit sophomore tight end Mychal Stillwell (Warner Robins, Ga.) for a 30 yard completion, then two plays later found junior running back Kolby Crawford (Douglasville Ga.) for a 32-yard gain to take them to the Rams' two. Freshman quarterback Kirk Scott (Richmond Hill, Ga.), the 2025 USA South Offensive Rookie of the Year, then punched it in on the ground, giving LaGrange the lead back as they went into halftime leading 10-7.
- In the third quarter, the Panthers started cooking on both sides of the ball. The Rams went three-and-out on their opening possession with LaGrange junior linebacker Dezmond Jones (Thomasville, Ga.) breaking up the pass on third down. On the very next play, sophomore Jace Black (Carrollton, Ga.) blocked the punt, setting LC up with amazing field position at the Framingham 24. Two plays later, junior running back Tacaris Bozeman (Montgomery, Ala.) busted through for a 24-yard touchdown, putting the Panthers up 17-7.
- The Rams went three-and-out on their next drive, with sophomore defensive back Brandon Brooks (Davenport, Fla.) making the tackle on the third down to force the punt.
- Later in the third quarter, FSU reached LC's 15 yard line after a big gain. The Panthers nearly escaped after forcing incompletions on first and second down before Framingham freshman quarterback Michael Marcucella (Foxboro, Mass.) hit sophomore wide receiver Adrian Sarrette (Haverhill, Mass.) for a 15 yard touchdown, pulling the Rams back to within three at 17-14. The third quarter came to an end with the game still undecided.
- The fourth quarter saw the two teams continue to trade the ball back and forth, neither able to break the other's defense until the closing minutes of the game when the Panthers committed entirely to their running game, as they rushed on eight of nine possessions of the drive, finally punching it in off a two-yard run from Bozeman with 3:15 to go. LaGrange took a 24-14 lead.
- With their season on the line, the Rams went on a ten play drive, scoring off two yard rush from Marcucella with 23 seconds left. Just like that, it was a one-score game.
- Framingham State attempted the on-side kick, but LaGrange recovered. The Panthers took a knee as the sideline erupted in celebration.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Brodnax threw for 154 yards on the day while committing no turnovers.
- Bozeman rushed for 65 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns while Scott added 39 yards off eight carries.
- Stillwell had arguably the best performance of his career with eight catches for 93 yards.
- LaGrange senior defensive back Deon King Jr. (Vienna, Ga.) dominated as he had all season with two sacks for a combined 20 yards to go along with six tackles and a hurry.
- Senior cornerback Legend Doggett (McDonough, Ga.) had three pass breakups and four tackles.
- The defense continued to dominate against the run, holding the Rams to just 1.9 yards per rush on 22 carries.
UP NEXT
- LaGrange is back on the field on Saturday when they travel to Berry College in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
For continuing coverage of LaGrange College Athletics, visit lagrangepanthers.com and follow the Panthers on Instagram ( @lagrange_panthers ), Twitter ( @lcpanthers ) and Facebook ( LaGrange Panthers ).